BACKGROUND: Use of chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma (APC) pursues a palliative objective. Gemcitabine is active against this tumor and shows in vitro synergism with 5-fluorouracil. UFT is a combination of tegafur (a prodrug of 5-flouorouracil) and uracil that can be given orally. The administration of UFT for several weeks may simulate the effects of a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil. The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination gemcitabine-UFT-leucovorin in the treatment of APC. METHODS: Forty-two patients with bidimensionally measurable APC were included. The study regimen consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week rest, intravenous 6S-steroisomer of leucovorin (6SLV) 250 mg/m(2) in 2 hours on Day 1, oral 6SLV 7.5 mg/12 hours on Days 2-14, and oral UFT 390 mg/m(2)/day (in 2 doses) on Days 1-14. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks for a minimum of 3 per patient unless progressive disease was detected. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three courses were given, with a median of 4 per patient. World Health Organization Grade 3-4 toxicity was: diarrhea in 7 patients (17%), leucopenia in 2 (5%), nausea/vomiting in 2 (5%), and anemia in 1 (4%). Among 38 patients evaluable for response, 6 achieved a partial response (16%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6-31. 4), 15 had stable disease (39%), and 17 had progression (45%). Improvement in performance status and symptoms (pain, analgesic consumption, and weight) was present in 11 (29%) and 17 (45%) patients, respectively. Eighteen patients (47%; 95% CI, 31.5-54.5) experienced a clinical benefit response. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemcitabine-UFT-6SLV is convenient and moderately active and shows a low toxicity for the palliative treatment of patients with APC. Copyright 2000 American Cancer Society.
BACKGROUND: Use of chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma (APC) pursues a palliative objective. Gemcitabine is active against this tumor and shows in vitro synergism with 5-fluorouracil. UFT is a combination of tegafur (a prodrug of 5-flouorouracil) and uracil that can be given orally. The administration of UFT for several weeks may simulate the effects of a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil. The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination gemcitabine-UFT-leucovorin in the treatment of APC. METHODS: Forty-two patients with bidimensionally measurable APC were included. The study regimen consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week rest, intravenous 6S-steroisomer of leucovorin (6SLV) 250 mg/m(2) in 2 hours on Day 1, oral 6SLV 7.5 mg/12 hours on Days 2-14, and oral UFT 390 mg/m(2)/day (in 2 doses) on Days 1-14. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks for a minimum of 3 per patient unless progressive disease was detected. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three courses were given, with a median of 4 per patient. World Health Organization Grade 3-4 toxicity was: diarrhea in 7 patients (17%), leucopenia in 2 (5%), nausea/vomiting in 2 (5%), and anemia in 1 (4%). Among 38 patients evaluable for response, 6 achieved a partial response (16%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6-31. 4), 15 had stable disease (39%), and 17 had progression (45%). Improvement in performance status and symptoms (pain, analgesic consumption, and weight) was present in 11 (29%) and 17 (45%) patients, respectively. Eighteen patients (47%; 95% CI, 31.5-54.5) experienced a clinical benefit response. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemcitabine-UFT-6SLV is convenient and moderately active and shows a low toxicity for the palliative treatment of patients with APC. Copyright 2000 American Cancer Society.
Authors: Joan Maurel Santasusana; José Luis García López; Juan José García; Ana Isabel León Carbonero; Javier Gallego Plazas; Pedro Sánchez Rovira; Carlos Fernández Martos; M Carmen Galán Guzmán; Jesús Florián Jericó; Francisco Javier Dorta Delgado; Javier Casinello Espinosa; Marta Llanos Muñoz; Enrique Aranda Aguilar; Javier Sastre Valera; Ignacio García Ribas; Alfredo Carrato Mena Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 3.405